LOCAL Niles police sting drug dealing in the city...

September 10, 2006

LOCALNiles police sting drug dealing in the city When Mamie Davis moved into her house in the heart of Niles 40 years ago, crime wasn't a big concern. It wasn't until about 10 years ago, she said, that she noticed a change. Davis said young people from outside the area began occupying nearby houses that had been converted into rental properties, and the youths began congregating on street corners. City police responded seven months ago by cracking down on drug dealing, making 72 felony arrests and confiscating property and cash. C1Buchanan thinking big about making changes Administrators in Buchanan Community Schools this fall aren't thinking small. They're looking at creating a middle school cafeteria that practically doesn't exist right now, restructuring the elementary school system and cutting costs through privatizing bus and custodial services. The wide-ranging possibilities are all part of a five-prong goal during the 2006-2007 school year -- a year during which Superintendent Diana Davis is embarking on the district's -- and her position's -- challenges for the first time. C1Cotter takes charge as prosecuting attorney Aug. 31 was a trifecta of milestones for Arthur Cotter. It was the day the 20-year public servant celebrated 15 years of marriage, turned a year older -- 46 -- and moved up to the Berrien County prosecutor's job. It also marked a figurative goodbye to longtime friend Jim Cherry, the county's chief law enforcer since 1989 and Cotter's boss. Cherry, who's been waging a 14-month battle with neck cancer, stepped down from the prosecutor's job Aug. 24, citing continued health problems. C1